Posture bed structure



April 14, 1942. R, R, FREUND 2,279,307

` l POSTRE BED STRUCTURE Filed March 29, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -m xq. 1V H April 14, 1942. l R. R. FREUND 2,279,307

A PosTURE 'BED STRUCTURE Y Filed March 29, 1939 2 sheetsLsheet 2 INVENroR Raaf/Vr A7. fafa/v0.

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED sTATss PATENT ortica 2,279,307 POSTURE BEDA STRUCTURE Robert R. Freund, Mount Carmel, Ill.

Application March 29, 1939, Serial No. 264,766

12 claims.

This invention relates to a posture bed.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a bed of articulated character, whereby the same may have its several parts moved into various positions necessitated by the patients particular condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily accessible arrangement whereby the patient may personally adjust portions of the bed structure to suit his convenience.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure which is not only manually adjustable but may be power adjustable as well.

Another object of the invention is to arrange a bed that can be collapsed, as it were, so that the entire bed as a single unit can be moved from room to room in a hospital or from a rental agency into a home by merely collapsing the entire bed so that it will pass sidewise through the several doors and without requiring dismantling.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the support of articles such as a book or tray for the patients convenience Another object of the invention is to provide for the support of legs in a lithotomy position.

The chief feature of the invention consists in embodying in a bed structure of articulated character the several mechanisms whereby the bed and portions associated therewith may be adjusted, operated 0r utilized as necessity or convenience may require.

This application is a substitute for a similarly entitled application Serial No. 115,272 iiled December ll, 1936, inadvertently abandoned and in which a petition for revival was denied.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a bed structure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof, including tray and leg holderattachments, portions of the bed being shown in other than a horizontal position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View looking toward the head of the bed when the head portion of the bed structure is horizontal, and including more especially, the motive type power and the evacuation associated mechanism and is taken on .line 3 3 of Fig. 1 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a more Vor less diagrammatic side elevation of a modified form of vthe invention.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of a still further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the evacuation vessel shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a topl plan view of the mattress structure shown more especially in Fig. 3.

In the drawings I 0 indicates supporting leg structures terminating in suitable casters l2, or the like, engaging the iioor and having a detachable, and herein telescopic, connection with projecting portions I3 of a main frame or base, including two side plates I4 transversely united together by the tie bars or equivalent structures I5. The legs are detachably associated in said telescopic relation as indicated at IS. The main frame is shorter than the bed proper.

Extending from plate to plate is a shaft I1 rigid with which is a winding drum I8 at each end adjacent the plate. The shaft projects through the plate and terminates in a squared or equivalent end I9 adapted to detachably re'- ceive a crank handle 20.

Pivotally mounted near the upper and rearward ends of the plate structures I4 and at 2|, is a U-shaped head portion of the bedv structure 22 which includes a plurality of parallel, spaced, flexible mattress supporting metallic strips 23 yieldingly associated at each end as at 24 with the spring supporting member 25. The two plates I4 support continuations of the frame 22 as at 2S and a plurality of similar strips 23 are provided and similarly yieldingly mounted as at'24 to members 21.

Herein a plurality of intermediate and relatively short strips 28 are provided, each of which is yieldingly mounted at one end as at 29 to the adjacent member 21 and the opposite end is suitably secured to a longitudinally directed member 30, the same extending transversely of the ends of the strips 28 and 23 and being secured at opposite ends to the two immediate adjacent members 23. This forms an opening indicated generally in Fig. l, by the numeral 3|. This portion of the bed structure is relatively stationary.

Hingedly supported at 32 is a continuation 33 of the bed frame structure and hingedly connected thereto is a U-shaped extension 34, Vthe two being hingedly connected together as at 35 by a combination pivotal tongue and groove connection. Bed frame members 33 are provided with spring support members 36 and the YU- shaped foot portion of the bed frame 34 is .provided with the spring support members 31. Each of these bed portions is provided with parallel metallic strips 23 yieldingly connected to said respective members 36 and 31 at opposite ends by the springs 24. The foregoing constitutes the mattress support and is substantially continuous except for the opening 3| to which reference will be had hereinafter.

Pivotally supported upon the interior of each of the base plates I4 as at 38 is a lever arm 39 terminating at one end in a cam portion having the elevating portion 49 and the maintaining portion 4I, one being a continuation of the other. Each of the members 39 at their other ends supports a shaft 42 which extends through arcuate slots 43 in the base plates I4, said slots being concentric with the pivots 38. The projecting ends of the shaft are squared as at 44 to receive the handle 26 for manual operation for a purpose hereinafter to be set forth morefully.

The extreme end of each of levers 39 isbifurcated as at 45 and apertured as at 46 to receive a threaded post 41 that mounts a yoke 48A that pivotally supportsat 49 a grooved roller 56. The grooved roller bears on the undersurface of the frame portion 33. When the crank 29 is positioned on shaft I1 and rotated, the winding drums I8 are rotated therewith and the cables I, connected at one end to the drum and at the opposite end as at `52 to the extension 53 of the frame 22, serve to tilt upwardly in clockwise direction the head portion of the bed frame.

An extension 54 in alignment with each side portion of the frame 22, terminates in a roller 55 that bears upon the cam portion 40 of the lever 39. In this elevating movement of the head portion, the cam construction is tilted Whch elevates the bed frame portion 33, as shown in Fig. 2, and to a corresponding degree determinable by the contour of the cam.

The foot portion 34 is supported by an arm 56 thatpivotally supports a grooved roller 51, bearing on the underface of the side portion of` the U-shaped foot frame portion ofthe bed frame 34. The tangential upper. plane with respect to rollers v51 corresponds to the lower plane of the bed frame when the portions are in horizontal alignment.

Continued rotation of the shaft I1 permits the roller 55 to travel upon the portion 4I of the lever 39 and since this portion is concentric with the axis 2|, no further tilting movement of the intermediate frame portion (not the stationary intermediate frame portion) and the foot portion occurs.

Near each end of the shaft 42 the same carries a worm 58 which meshes with the worm wheel 59 having threaded connection with the threaded member 41. Thus, rotation of the shaft 42 by the crank 20 applied to either squared end-44 will serve to actuate the worm andworm wheel mechanisms and thus serve to elevate or lower, as the case may be, depending upon the direction of rotation of the shaft 42, the roller supports 50 upon which the bed frame portions 33 bear. In this manner the relative positioning of members 33 may be adjusted with respect to the position of portion 22. This provides for a considerable flexibility` in the variation in the respective positions of the portions of the posture bed.

Another adjustment to secure a similar result and more especiallywith reference to the foot portion of `the bed frame 34, is shown more especially in Fig. 2. Arm 56 at each side of the bed is 4slidably supportedin the. ways 69, carried by the base plate -'I4.V Pivotally mounted as at 6I is a pinion 62 which meshes with the rack portion 63 of the horizontal portion 56a of the arm 56. The shaft rigid with the pinion or gear 62 extends through the plate I4 and mounts a crank handle 64. For clearness, certain of this mechanism previously described, is omitted from Fig. l.

Positioned at each side of the posture bed and carried by the base plates I4 are the sockets 65 which telescopically receive the standard portion 66 of a tray or book support member 61, the supporting portion properbeing indicated by the numeral 68 and having a longitudinally adjustable connection as at 69. This connection also permits the tray or book support to be tilted with Yrespect to the horizontal plane. The height of the horizontal portion 61 may be adjusted relative to the bed and retained in the adjusted position by the hand wheel locking arrangement 10.

There is also provided at each side of the bed on base plates I4 another pair of tubular sockets 1I which receive'the vertical portions 12 of a leg holderhaving the horizontal portions 13 and the verticalportions 14. A similar hand wheel operated lockingV device 15 is adapted to rigidly secure the'leg holder attachment in the desired adjusted position, which may be varied for angularity, in a. horizontal plane as well as for elevation with respect to the bed. These devices are highly desirable for use in'obstetrical cases.

The foregoing constitutes the manual form of the inventionwherein the nurse may manipulate the various mechanisms for adjusting the bed structure.

Whenever it is desired, the patient may also manipulate the bed structure and While lying therein. Reference will be had now more especially to Fig. 2. In this figure, 16 indicates a bevel gear rigid with the` shaft I1. Meshing therewith is a bevel pinion 11 carried by shaft 18 rotatably supported in bearings carried by the adjacent base plate I4. The upper end ofthe shaft 18 terminates in a universal joint 19, one portion of which is connected toa shaft 8| having a socket 82 for the reception of a crank or handle structure 83,' positioned immediately at one side of the bed and slightly above the plane of the bed when the mattress is applied thereto. The friction between the several parts and gears 16 and 11 is sufficient to retain the head portion inthe adjusted and elevated position. With this structure, the patient may, if sufficiently convalescent, personally adjust portions of Vthe bed to the position which will give the patient the greatest ease and comfort.

Reference will now behad more especially to Figs. 36 and '7. It will be recalled that members 39 are united tothe adjacent'ends of the flexible metal strips 26. ADepending from the members 3ft-see Fig. 3-which are shown as angle iron structures, are the spaced plates 84 connected at their base by the transverse portion 85. A mattress includesv one section `86 substantially rectangular in form, and another section 81, U- shaped inform, having a recess 88k therein substantially corresponding t0 the opening 3I, see Fig. 1, in i'Ihe-spririgframe.i This opening is closed by a mattress insert or plug 89-see Fig. 7-which-bears upon a plate or suitable support 90 which in turn bears upon the rimmed mouth 9| of a U-shaped member 492, exibly supported by the spring 93 upon a` rack type stem or the post 94, the latter extending through the aperture 85a in the portiori`85 which Vguides said post.

In brackets 95 and V95ais rotatably supported a shaft 96 which mounts a spur gear 91 meshing with-the rack type post '94. A pinion 98 on the end of the shaft 9S meshes with pinion 95 carriecl by a vertical shaft rotatably supported in the bracket 95 at its lower end and in bracket |51 in its upper end, the latter being carried by the adjacent frame member 84.

The upper end of the shaft itt terminates in a worm wheel 52 which meshes with a worm |03 carried by shaft ltd one end of which is mounted in the bracket lo! and the other end Aof which is mounted in the bracket |55 carried by the adjacent side frame lli. The projecting end of the shaft |0l mounts a bevel gear IDG which meshes with bevel gear itl on the end of a shaft |08, the upper end of which is adapted to receive a crank |53. A vessel having the hand engageable portion, such as opening and the open mouth i Hirt is adapted to be received by the vessel carrying frame S2 having the open but rimmed mouth 9|.

It will be noted-see Fig. 3-that the mattress section or block 89 is supported in coplanar alignment with mattress portions 85 and 8! by the plate il and the vessel supporting structure herein just described. When a patient can be moved from one side of the Abed to the other, the mattress block may be removed upwardly and then the patient returned into central bed position and when in that position, the buttocks of the patient will register with the vessel and if desired to ease the patient, the movable portions of the bed may be adjusted into a position other than horizontal and the patient may then evacuate at ease. Following this, the patient may be lowered into horizontal position, moved to the right or left and the mattress section 89 replaced. Thereafter the hospital attendant ory the nurse may remove the Vessel H0 from the back of the bed.

When the patient cannot be moved and evacuation is necessary, the nurse or attendant may operate the crank H39 to lower the vessel support until the mattress section 89 lies below the piane of the spring portion 23- and then the mattress section 85 may be removed in the same manner that the vessel was removed. With such removal, of course, the supporting portion 90 is also removed. With this removal, then the crank is again actuated to elevate the vessel support with the vessel therein so that the rim portion registers with the top edge or -or is coplanar with the upper surface of the mattress sections 86 and 3l. It, of course, is to be understood that in the previously mentioned operation relative to evacuation, the crank |59 is preferably elevated to raise the support 9i) and mattress section 89 upwardly until both may be removed, leaving the rimmed edge Si of the vessel support in the aforementioned coplanar relationship with respect to the mattress sections 86 and 81.

Either'of the foregoing operations, of course, may be performed with the patient in the sitting position. 4

For the purpose of clearness, it will, of course, be understood that various anti-friction bearings will be utilized, wherever such anti-friction type of mounting is desired or necessary. Furthermore it is to be understood the various types of gearing herein illustrated are merely illustrative examples of gearing which may be employed in this manner.

Whenever it is desired to provide for .pov er manipulation, .the same herein is illustrated as applied to the movement of the articulated portions of the bed frame, although by the addition of other motive means or a selective clutch construction, the motive power may be applied to each of the manually operable adjustable mechanisms.

In the several gures, H2 indicates an electric motor which operates through a speed reducer, if desired, or directly, a worm |i3 meshing with the worm wheel H4 rigid with the shaft that carries the cable winding drums IB. Supply lines li-HG may be controlled by a suitable power switch and are connected by a flexible cable ita and I |822 to the motor. A push button or like, normally open -switch H9 is adapted upon closure, if the switch H1 is closed or the motor extension cord connector is plugged into a wall or iloor outlet, to close the motor circuit as long as the button is depressed and thus the shaft |1 rotates in the desired direction.

Whenever it is desired to reverse the rotation for lowering, for example, the reverse switch member |25 is actuated and the motor lowers the posture bed. Limit switches, as are well understood in the electrical motor industry may be associated with such ya device. The m-otor, of course, is of reversible character.

In Fig. 4 a slightly modified form of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated and herer in |35 indicates a side plate similar to base plate ifi. |3| represents the side portion of the U- shaped head frame, 3?. the supporting leg structure having the caster |33, or the like, and in this form of the invention, the projecting arm t |34 of the plate |33 is the equivalent of the projecting arm 56, previously described.

Herein a pair of brackets |35 on each rearward member |32 mounts a sprocket |37 and |33 connected by a chain |39. A crank Milon the common transverse shaft Ml' is adapted to move the chains one direction or the other and movable therewith are members Mii carrying rollers |42 pivoted at M3 and constituting a support for the head portion of the bed frame.

A link Md is pivotally connected as at to the head frame lSi and is pivotally connected at |36 to the bracket IM. Thus, movement of the hand crank Hill serves to raise or lower the head frame, depending upon the direction of crank rotation. It is also to be understood the construction is duplicated on the other member |32 and the shaft Ml, which extends through the upper bracket |35 and mounts the cogs |37, extends from one side structure to the other and the crank hill may be associated with either projecting end of the shaft iM. The head frame structure portion is pivoted at each side at Hi8 on the side frame or base plate |35 and includes the arm and cam portion |49 as well as the pin stop 59.

'Ihe intermediate tiltable bed frame portion comparable to portion 33, is indicated by the numeral |`5| and is pivoted at |52. The same in turn at its opposite side is pivoted at |53 vto the U-shaped foot frame structure portion |56, similar to the foot frame structure Sli. To obtain the adjustment comparable to the adjustment obtained by the longitudinal movement of member 55a by the rack and pinion arrangement, there is provided herein a slot |55 in each arm |34 projecting from the base plates |30 and an adjustable fulcrum member |56 rides therein. The same is adjustably associated with the member 54 through the medium of the slot |51.

The member |5| includes a depending arm |58 having an aperture |59 therein adapted'to receive a bolt |60 which may be positioned in any one of the arcuately spaced openings |6| carried by the cam or actuating plate |62 also pivoted at |52. Y

The cam plate |62 has the tilting portion |63 and the concentric radial or holding portion |64.

The cam plate also slidably supports by meansy of the spaced pins |65 a latch member |66 having elongated, aligned slots |61 therein, the angular end portion |68 associated with the pin. |50 and a pawl engaging opposite end |69.

The opposite end of the cam plate has an arcuate face |10 and a bevel portion |1| adapted to be engaged by the operative end |12 of a pawl or locking dog |13 constrained into cam plate engagement by the spring |14 mounted on the plate |30, as shown. It is believed the operation of the device and the functioning of the pawl and latch arrangement is self evident from the foregoing description and the explanation following.

In the positive elevation of member |3|, portion |49 engages face |63 and moves member |62 to the right whichin turn tilts member |5I' upwardly and member |54 downwardly when positioned as shown. In this movement face |10 rides pawl |13 in opposition to spring |14, same serving as a latch or stop by engaging shoulder |1|. When member |5| is lowered to prevent undue dropping thereof, said pawl being prevented from undue dropping by member |69 through end |68 and pin |50 when member |3| is lowered to horizontal position.

In Fig. a modified form of the invention is diagrammatically illustrated. In this figure, |80 indicates the base or side plate, |8| the head portion of the bed frame pivoted as at |82 to the side plate. It also includes the cam portion |83, the cooperating pin |84 andthe member |85 is associated therewith in the same manner that |68 in Fig. 4 is associated with the pin |50 in said figures. Herein the base plate is supported by the leg |86 suitably supported by caster |81 and the jointed link construction |88 and |89 is pivotally connected at one end as at |90 to the leg member |86 and at |9| to head member |8|. The two links are pivotally connected together as at |02 and to the pivot is secured the cable' |93 which is windable upon the drum |94, operable by the crank |95, the shaft |96 carrying the drums being supported in the brackets |91 carried by the legs |86.

The bed previously described is arranged so that the head portion supports the head and chest of the patient, the stationary intermediate portion supports the hips of the patient, the movable intermediate portion supports the thighs of the patient, and the foot portion supports the lower limbs and feet of the patient.

For obstetrical purposes, all bed portions are in horizontal alignment except the foot portion which can be adjusted to hang vertically downwardly or substantially in that position.

For genital-urinary purposes, the foot portion is similarly positioned but the intermediate movable portion is elevated to the desired angle.

When necessary the head portion, see Fig. 2, need not be 'tilted when the otherportions are positioned as last mentioned.

Positions similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 are suitable for relaxation and rest, eating, reading, writing and defecation, and suitable for pneumonia and bad heart conditions of patients.

The bed is readily movable as an entirety so that the patient (if ambulation is impossible) may sit up and be moved to the operating room,

X-ray department, solarium or the like, as desired or required.

For leg fracture cases, the head portion only is tilted and the thighs or legs are immobilized or held in traction.'

The various positions are all obtainable with the present invention, or slight modifications thereof as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in this art.

This pedestal bed may be readily collapsed to permit passage through relatively narrow openings vwithout necessitating bed dismantling.

It will also be self apparent that various forms of cooperative connections can be effected, departing from the specific disclosures illustrated herein, by which the several movable portions are simultaneously movabler through the interconnection and movement of but one movable portion of the bed.

While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing specifications, it is to be understood that description and the drawings illustrating the same, are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. The various modifications herein disclosed by description and drawings as well as those suggested and others which will readiliy suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, are all considered to be within the broad scope of this invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. The combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from. its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the rst mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former.

2. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagementbeing such that the said other end section maybe coplanar with therst mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connecting means being of adjustable character for obtaining variable degreesk of tilting of the intermediate movable secsupporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operativelyA supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connection means including a cam and follower connection including a pair of cooperating elements, one being a rigid eX- tension of said rst mentioned bed section and movable therewith, the other element constituting the sole connection to the remainder of the connecting means, the cam element including an eccentric portion and a concentric portion forming a continuation thereof and engageable by the. follower.

4. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the rst mentioned end section and the intermediate movable Vsection for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former,

the last mentioned connection means including a cam and follower connection including a pair of cooperating elements, one being a rigid extension of said first mentioned bed section and movable therewith, the other element constituting the sole connection to the remainder of the connecting means, the cam element including an eccentric portion and a concentric portion forming a continuation thereof and engageable by the follower, said follower being of the roller type.

5. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the rst mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the rst mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned means at one end including an adjustable arrangement for obtaining variable degrees of tilting of the intermediate movable section for any selected tilted position of the first mentioned end section and atthe opposite end including a cam and follower connection including a pair of cooperating elements, one being a rigid extension of said rst mentioned bed section and movable therewith, the other element constituting the sole connection to the remainder of the connecting means, the cam element including an eccentric portion and a concentric portion forming a continuation thereof and engageable by the follower, said follower being of the roller type.

6. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the rst mentioned'end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned means at one end including an adjustable arrangement for obtaining variablel degrees of tilting of the intermediate movable section for any selected tilted position of the rst mentioned end section and at the opposite end including a cam and follower connection including a pair of cooperating elements, one being a rigid extension of said rst mentioned bed section and movable therewith, the other element constituting the sole connection to the remainder of the connecting means, the cam element including an eccentric portion and a concentric portion forming a continuation thereof and engageable by the follower.

'7. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base andan articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the rst mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the rst mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connecting means being of adjustable character for obtaining variable degrees of tilting of the intermediate section for any selected tilted position of the rst mentioned end section, the adjustable character of the connecting means being of gear type.

8. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable-means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the rst mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connectingthe first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the adjustable means being of gear type.

9. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the iirst mentioned endsectionvwhen the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the lattersimultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connecting means being of adjustable character for obtaining variable degrees of tilting of the intermediate section for any selected tilted position of the first mentioned end section, the adjustable character of the connecting means being of gear type, the rst mentioned adjustable means also being of gear type, the gearing being of dissimilar character.

l0. In an invalid bed, the combination witha supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to endpivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section,- and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connecting means being of nadjustable character for obtainingvariable degrees of tilting of the intermediate movable section for any selected tilted position of the rst mentioned end section, and of -pin and multiple socket type with the addition of latch and catch means for the purpose described.

11. In an invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section in the tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movy able section for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the adjustable means including an elongated slot in the base, and an elongated slot in the second mentioned end section, and means common to both slots for the purpose described.

12. In Aan invalid bed, the combination with a supporting base and an articulated bed structure including at least three tiltable bed forming sections, two of the sections having adjacent end to end pivotal connection, of means for tilting one end section, adjustable means operatively supporting the opposite end section and remote from its pivotal connection to the intermediate movable section, the operative support engagement being such that the said other end section may be coplanar with the first mentioned end section when the latter is not tilted and permitting relative movement between the adjustable means and the second mentioned end section inthe tilting movement of the intermediate section, and means operatively connecting the first mentioned end section and the intermediate movable Vsection for movement of the latter simultaneously with the movement of the former, the last mentioned connecting means being of adjustable character for obtaining variable degrees of tilting of the intermediate movable section for any selected tilted position of the iirst mentioned end section, and of pin and multiple socket type with the addition of latch and catch means for the purpose described, said adjustable means including an elongated slot in the base. and an elongated slot in the second mentioned end section, and means common to both slots for the purpose described.

ROBERT R. FREUND. 

